Rubber outboard deflector ring

ABSTRACT

A constant velocity joint assembly includes a housing body having an outer surface and an inner surface extending between a first housing end and a second housing end along a central axis. The inner surface of the housing body defines a raceway. A plurality of rollers are disposed in the raceway. A flexible boot is operably fixed to the housing body, with the flexible boot extending along the central axis. A deflector ring is fixed to the outer surface of the housing body. The deflector ring has a metal inner ring portion and a non-metal outer ring portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 63/122,172, filed Dec. 7, 2020, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Constant velocity joints (CV joints) interconnect rotary shaft membersof a vehicle. The CV joint includes a CV joint housing having an innersurface for guiding a plurality of rollers. CV joints are commonly usedon automobile drive axles and are enclosed with a rubber sealing boot.The rubber sealing boot is designed to retain grease within the CV jointand to prevent outside elements from entering the CV joint. Deflectorrings, also referred to as slingers, are commonly disposed on an outerrace surface of the CV joint housing to inhibit water and debris fromimpacting and damaging the mating wheel bearing.

Current deflector rings are made as a monolithic piece of metalmaterial. Although useful to perform their function of deflecting waterand debris, they have drawbacks. For example, with the deflector ringsbeing made entirely of metal, an outer periphery of the deflector ringpresents a relatively sharp, rigid edge. This edge, when brought intocontact with rubber sealing boots of other CV joints, such as duringstorage, shipping, handling, or otherwise, can cause inadvertent damageto the sealing boot brought into contact with the edge, therebycompromising the functionality of the sealing boot. The edges, ifbrought into contact with other components, can likewise cause damage tothe components and/or the edges can become damaged themselves, such asby being plastically deformed (permanently bent). If bent, thefunctionality of the deflector ring becomes compromised, therebyexposing the wheel bearing, intended to be protected by the deflectorring, to unwanted exposure to water and debris.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a constant velocity(CV) joint that overcomes at least some of the drawbacks discussed abovewith known CV joints.

It is a further object of the present disclosure to provide a CV jointhousing having a deflector ring that overcomes at least some of thedrawbacks discussed above with known CV joint housings.

It is a further object of the present disclosure to provide a deflectorring for a CV joint housing that overcomes at least some of thedrawbacks discussed above with known deflector rings.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a CV jointassembly is provided. The CV joint assembly includes a housing bodyhaving an outer surface and an inner surface extending between a firsthousing end and a second housing end along a central axis. The innersurface of the housing body defines a raceway. A plurality of rollersare disposed in the raceway. A flexible boot is operably fixed to thehousing body, with the flexible boot extending about the central axis. Adeflector ring is fixed to the outer surface of the housing body. Thedeflector ring has a rigid inner ring portion and a flexible, resilientouter ring portion, wherein the rigid inner ring portion and theflexible, resilient outer ring portion are formed of dissimilarmaterials.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the flexible outerring portion is non-metal material and the rigid inner ring portion is ametal-based material.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the flexible outerring portion is polymeric material and the rigid inner ring portion is ametal material.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the rigid innerring portion has a maximum outermost first dimension relative to thecentral axis and the rigid outer ring portion has a maximum outermostsecond dimension relative to the central axis, the second dimensionbeing greater than the first dimension.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the rigid innerring portion has a maximum outermost first diameter and the flexible,resilient outer ring portion has a maximum outermost second diameter,the second diameter being greater than the first diameter.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the flexible bootcan be provided having a first durometer and the flexible, resilientouter ring portion can be provided having a second durometer, whereinthe first durometer and the second durometer can be provided beingwithin about 10 percent of one another.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the first durometerof the flexible boot and the second durometer of the flexible, resilientouter ring portion can be provided being within about 5 percent of oneanother.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the flexible bootcan be provided having a durometer between about 50-80.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the first durometerof the flexible boot and the second durometer of the flexible, resilientouter ring portion can be provided being the same.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the flexible,resilient outer ring portion has an inner periphery and the rigid innerring portion has a recessed channel, wherein at least a portion of theinner periphery is disposed in the recessed channel.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the recessedchannel in the rigid inner ring is circumferentially continuous and theentirety of the inner periphery of the flexible, resilient outer ringportion is disposed in the recessed channel.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the recessedchannel is bounded by a first lip spaced axially from a second lip alongthe central axis, with the first lip having an outermost first dimensionand the second lip having an outermost second dimension, wherein thefirst dimension is greater than the second dimension.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the outer surfaceof the housing body has a generally cylindrical portion with a shoulderextending radially outwardly from the generally cylindrical portion, andwherein the recessed channel is bounded by a first lip spaced axiallyfrom a second lip along the central axis by a cylindrical portion, withthe first lip abutting the shoulder.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the recessedchannel is bounded by a first lip spaced axially from a second lip alongthe central axis by a cylindrical portion, with the first lip, thecylindrical portion, and the second lip having a constant thickness.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the outer surfaceof the housing body has a maximum housing outermost dimension, whereinthe rigid inner ring portion has a maximum inner ring outermostdimension, and wherein the flexible, resilient outer ring portion has amaximum outer ring outermost dimension, with the maximum inner ringoutermost dimension being less than the maximum housing outermostdimension, and with the maximum outer ring outermost dimension beinggreater than the maximum housing outermost dimension.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the rigid innerring portion can be overmolded with material of the flexible, resilientouter ring portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the rigid innerring portion can be entirely encapsulated by material of the flexible,resilient outer ring portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the flexible,resilient outer ring portion can be provided having a generally L-shapedleg forming an annular inner periphery of the flexible, resilient outerring portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the rigid innerring portion can be provided having a generally L-shaped leg forming anannular inner periphery of the rigid inner ring portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the generallyL-shaped leg of the rigid inner ring portion can follow the contour ofthe generally L-shaped leg of the flexible, resilient outer ringportion.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the generallyL-shaped leg of the rigid inner ring portion can be overmolded bymaterial of the generally L-shaped leg of the flexible, resilient outerring portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a constant velocityjoint housing is provided. The constant velocity joint housing includesa housing body having an outer surface and an inner surface extendingbetween a first housing end and a second housing end along a centralaxis, with the inner surface of the housing body defining a raceway. Aflexible boot is operably fixed to the housing body, with the flexibleboot extending about the central axis. A deflector ring is fixed to theouter surface of the housing body, with the deflector ring having arigid inner ring portion and a flexible, resilient outer ring portion,wherein the rigid inner ring portion and the flexible, resilient outerring portion are formed of dissimilar materials.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a deflector ringfor a constant velocity joint is provided. The deflector ring includes arigid inner ring portion, and a flexible, resilient outer ring portionfixed to the rigid inner ring portion. The flexible, resilient outerring portion extends radially outwardly from the rigid inner portion,wherein the rigid inner ring portion and the flexible, resilient outerring portion are dissimilar materials.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the rigid innerring portion of the deflector ring is overmolded with material of theflexible, resilient outer ring portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method ofmanufacturing a constant velocity joint housing is provided. The methodincludes providing a housing body having an outer surface and an innersurface extending between a first housing end and a second housing endalong a central axis. Further, fixing a flexible boot to the housingbody. Further yet, fixing a deflector ring having a rigid inner ringportion and a flexible, resilient outer ring portion to the outersurface of the housing body, wherein the rigid inner ring portion andthe flexible, resilient outer ring portion are formed of dissimilarmaterials.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method furtherincludes providing the flexible, resilient outer ring portion as anon-metal material and providing the rigid inner ring portion as ametal-based material.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method furtherincludes providing the flexible, resilient outer ring portion as apolymeric material and providing the rigid inner ring portion as a metalmaterial.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method furtherincludes pressing the rigid inner ring portion onto the outer surface ofthe housing body.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method furtherincludes providing the rigid inner ring portion having a first lipspaced axially from a second lip by a cylindrical portion with theflexible, resilient outer ring portion being disposed about thecylindrical portion in captured relation between the first lip and thesecond lip.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method ofmanufacturing a deflector ring for a constant velocity joint assembly isprovided. The method includes providing a rigid inner ring portion andproviding a flexible, resilient outer ring portion, wherein the rigidinner ring portion and the flexible, resilient outer ring portion aredissimilar materials. Further, fixing the flexible, resilient outer ringportion to the rigid inner ring portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method furtherincludes providing the flexible, resilient outer ring portion as anon-metal material and providing the rigid inner ring portion as ametal-based material.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method furtherincludes providing the flexible, resilient outer ring portion as apolymeric material and providing the rigid inner ring portion as a metalmaterial.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method ofmanufacturing a deflector ring further includes providing the rigidinner ring portion having a first lip spaced axially from a second lipby a cylindrical portion and capturing the flexible, resilient outerring portion between the first lip and the second lip.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method ofmanufacturing a deflector ring further includes capturing the flexible,resilient outer ring portion between the first lip and the second lip byfolding one of the first lip or the second lip toward the other of thefirst lip or the second lip.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method ofmanufacturing a deflector ring further includes stretching an innerperiphery of the flexible, resilient outer ring portion to fit over oneof the first lip or the second lip and allowing the inner periphery torelax for captured receipt between the first lip and the second lip.

These and other advantages and features will become more apparent fromthe following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion ofthe specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages ofthe invention are apparent from the following detailed description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a constant velocity joint assemblyin accordance with an aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an end view of a deflector ring of the constant velocity jointassembly of FIG. 1 in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the deflector ring taken generallyalong line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3A is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing an outer ring portion of thedeflector ring disposed against a first lip of an inner ring portion ofthe deflector ring prior to forming a second lip of the inner ringportion to capture the outer ring portion between the first and secondlips of the inner ring portion;

FIG. 3B is a view similar to FIG. 3 of a deflector ring of the constantvelocity joint assembly of FIG. 1 in accordance with another aspect ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 3C is a view similar to FIG. 3 of a deflector ring of the constantvelocity joint assembly of FIG. 1 in accordance with yet another aspectof the disclosure; and

FIG. 3D is a view similar to FIG. 3 of a deflector ring of the constantvelocity joint assembly of FIG. 1 in accordance with yet a furtheraspect of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the Figures, where the invention will be described withreference to specific embodiments, without limiting same, it is to beunderstood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of thenon-limiting embodiments of the invention that is embodied in variousand alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; somefeatures may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particularcomponents. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a constant velocity joint assembly, referred tohereafter as CV joint 10, constructed in accordance with one aspect ofthe disclosure is shown, wherein the CV joint 10 enables torque transferbetween two rotatable shaft members with possible axial position orangular position changes relative to each other. The CV joint 10 isconfigured to transmit torque from a first shaft member 12 to a secondshaft member (not shown) through a roller assembly 14, such that thefirst shaft member 12 is operatively connected to the second shaftmember through various rotational speeds, joint angles, or telescopicpositions, as is well known and understood by one possessing ordinaryskill in the art of CV joint technology. It is to be recognized that theroller assembly 14 may include various types of rollers R, includingcylindrical rollers, or otherwise, and that the ball type rollers Rillustrated are by way of example and without limitation.

The CV joint 10 includes a CV joint housing, referred to hereafter ashousing 20, which extends from the first shaft member 12 along alongitudinal axis, shown as a longitudinal central axis 22. Thecombination of the housing 20 and the first shaft member 12 arerotatable in fixed, conjoint relation with one another about thelongitudinal central axis 22.

The housing 20 includes a housing body 30. The housing body 30 is shownas being generally cup-shaped having an outer surface 32 and an innercavity, also referred to as bore 18, bounded by an inner surface 34,each extending along the longitudinal central axis 22 between a firsthousing end 36 and a second housing end 38. The inner surface 34 definesat least one raceway 16 for low friction movement of the roller assembly14 therealong, with the roller assembly 14 including a plurality ofrollers R. It is to be understood that the raceway 16 can be formedother than illustrated to facilitate plunging, telescopic movementbetween the first shaft member 12 and second shaft member, as is knownby persons possessing ordinary skill in the CV joint art, with such CVjoints having multiple, axially extending raceways commonly referred toas tripot joints, which are contemplated herein.

The first shaft member 12 is fixedly connected to the housing body 30proximate the second housing end 38, and can be formed as a monolithicpiece of material with the housing body 30, or as a separated piece ofmaterial that is subsequently fixed to the housing body 30, such as viaa weld joint, by way of example and without limitation. A flexible boot26 is operably fixed to the housing body 30 to the first housing end 36,wherein the boot 26 extends away from the housing body 30 and away fromthe first housing end 36 along and about the central axis 22.

A deflector ring 28 is fixed to the outer surface 32 of the housing body30 to inhibit water and debris from impacting, degrading and damagingthe boot 26. The deflector ring 28 is a multi-piece member of dissimilarmaterials, including a relatively rigid inner ring portion 40 suited formaintaining the deflector ring 28 in fixed relation with the outersurface 32 of the housing body 30 and a relatively flexible, resilientouter ring portion 42 suited for inhibiting water and debris frompassing thereby. The inner ring portion 40 can be formed of a rigid,strong metal-based material, such as from a metal impregnated materialor a pure metal material, while the outer ring portion 42 can be formedof a flexible, resilient non-metal material, such as from a polymericmaterial, by way of example and without limitation. With the outer ringportion 42 being relatively flexible, relative to the inner ring portion40, an outer peripheral edge 43 of the outer ring portion 42 does notpresent a sharp, rigid and potentially damaging surface, and thus,during storage, shipping, handling, or otherwise, the deflector ring 28does not cause damage, such as cutting, scraping or otherwise, to bootsof adjacent CV joint assemblies. Further yet, with the outer ringportion 42 being resilient, the outer peripheral edge 43 does not becomepermanently bent (plastically deformed) or otherwise damaged duringstorage, shipment, handling, or the like, and thus, even if the outerperipheral edge 43 becomes flexed during handling or during storage, theflexed configuration is temporary, with the resiliency of the outer ringportion 42 causing the outer peripheral edge 43 to automatically returnto its non-flexed configuration for fully functional use as intended.

The flexible, resilient outer ring portion 42, like the boot 26, can bemade from a polymeric material, such as a natural rubber (NR) material,by way of example and without limitation. The flexible boot 26 can bemade with polymeric material having a first durometer, such as betweenabout 50-80 Shore, by way of example and without limitation, and theouter ring portion 42 from a material having a second durometer, whereinthe first durometer and the second durometer can be within about 5 to 10percent of one another, by way of example and without limitation. Ofcourse, the boot 26 and the outer ring portion 42 can be made of thesame type of material, and thus, the first durometer and the seconddurometer can be the same. Regardless, the polymeric material, whethermade of NR or otherwise, has good strength and abrasive resistance, andgreat elasticity and resiliency under a relatively wide range of normal,anticipated operating temperature, as expected in the use of vehicle ina wide range of varying climates. NR has some degree of plasticity andexcellent mechanical strength, while hysteresis loss of NR is small, andthus, a small amount of heat would be produced after many times ofdeformation, therefore its resiliency is great. The NR can also includean antioxidant, lending to the NR being able to be exposed to continuousperiods of sun, while also withstanding extensive (years) of storagewithout degradation of material properties. NR also retains goodelasticity even under the temperature of 40 C degree below zero. Afurther material choice for the boot 26 and/or outer ring portion 42includes polychloroprene, including chloroprene rubber (CR), by way ofexample and without limitation. CR is oil proof, heat proof, fireresistant, antioxidant, acid-and-alkali proof and corrosion resistant.On the other hand, CR has great tensile strength, elongation, reversiblecrystallinity and cohesiveness. Ultimately, it is important that theresilient outer ring portion 42 be flexible to prevent damage to othercomponent parts that may come into contact with the outer ring portion42, such as during manufacture, handling, shipping and storage.Accordingly, it is contemplated herein that any suitable non-metalmaterial can be used, as desired.

As shown best in FIG. 3, the rigid inner ring portion 40 of thedeflector ring 28 has a maximum outermost first dimension 44, extendingradially relative to the central axis 22, which can be an outer diameterof the outermost peripheral edge 43 of the inner ring portion 40 if theoutermost peripheral edge 43 is circular. Otherwise, it is contemplatedherein that the outermost peripheral edge 43 of the inner ring portion40 may not be circular. The flexible, resilient outer ring portion 42has a maximum outermost second dimension 46, extending radially relativeto the central axis 22, which can be an outer diameter of an outermostperipheral edge 45 of the outer ring portion 42 if the outermostperipheral edge 45 is circular. Otherwise, it is contemplated hereinthat the outermost peripheral edge 45 of the outer ring portion 42 maynot be circular. Regardless of the respective shapes of the outerperipheries, the second dimension 46 is greater than the first dimension44. Accordingly, the outermost peripheral edge 45 of the outer ringportion 42 extends radially outwardly from the outer peripheral edge 43of the inner ring portion 40.

The flexible, resilient outer ring portion 42 has an inner periphery 48and the rigid inner ring portion 40 has a recessed channel 50. At leasta portion of the inner periphery 48 is disposed and captured in therecessed channel 50. The recessed channel 50 can be provided beingannular, thereby being circumferentially continuous, wherein theentirety of the inner periphery 48 of the flexible, resilient outer ringportion 42 can be disposed and captured in the circumferentiallycontinuous recessed channel 50. Otherwise, it is contemplated that therecessed channel 50 could be circumferentially discontinuous, ifdesired.

The recessed channel 50 is bounded by a first lip 52 spaced axially froma second lip 54 along the central axis 22 by a cylindrical portion 56.The first lip 52 has an outermost first dimension 58 and the second lip54 has an outermost second dimension 60. The first dimension 58 can begreater than the second dimension 60, such that the first lip 52 formsthe outermost first dimension 44. As such, the second lip 54 can have areduced dimension relative to the first lip 52, wherein the reducedsecond dimension 60 can facilitate assembly of the outer ring portion 42within the recessed channel 50. The inner ring portion 40 can be formedof a constant thickness (t; FIG. 3A) piece of metal-based or metalmaterial, such that the first lip 52, the cylindrical portion 56, andthe second lip 54 can be provided having a constant thickness (t).Otherwise, it is contemplated herein that the lips 52, 54 andcylindrical portion 56 can have different thicknesses from one another,if desired.

The outer surface 32 of the housing body 30 has a maximum housingoutermost dimension, which can be an outer diameter 62 if the outersurface 32 is cylindrical, while the maximum inner ring outermostdimension 44 can be, and is preferably less than the maximum housingoutermost dimension 62, thereby avoiding contact of the inner ringportion 40 with adjacent components. Meanwhile, the maximum outer ringoutermost dimension 46 can be, and is preferably greater than themaximum housing outermost dimension 62, thereby providing optimalshielding protection to the boot 26. As such, as discussed above, instorage, shipping and/or handling, with the maximum inner ring outermostdimension 44 being less than the maximum housing outermost dimension 62,the inner ring portion 40 is inhibited from contacting surroundingcomponents, with the flexible, resilient outer ring portion 42 be ableto contact the surrounding components without causing damage to thecomponents or becoming damaged (permanently bent or otherwise deformed).

To facilitate assembly, the housing body 30 can be formed having agenerally cylindrical portion 64 with a shoulder 66 extending radiallyoutwardly from the generally cylindrical portion 64 in generallytransverse relation therefrom. The deflector ring 28 can be fixed on thegenerally cylindrical portion 64 with the cylindrical portion 56 of theinner ring portion 40 having a tight fit, such as an interference pressfit thereon, to prevent the deflector ring 28 from moving relative tothe housing body 30 upon being pressed thereon. While pressing thedeflector ring 28 onto the cylindrical portion 64, the first lip 52 ofthe inner ring portion 40 can be brought into abutting engagement withthe housing shoulder 66, thereby acting to locate and fix the deflectorring 28 in the desired position.

In FIG. 3B, a cross-section view similar taken along a similar line 3-3of FIG. 2 of a deflector ring 128 constructed in accordance with anotheraspect of the disclosure is shown, wherein the same reference numerals,offset by a factor of 100, are used to identify like features. Thedeflector ring 128, like the deflector ring 28 discussed above, has arelatively rigid inner ring portion 140 suited for maintaining thedeflector ring 128 in fixed relation with the outer surface 32 of thehousing body 30 and a relatively flexible, resilient outer ring portion142 suited for inhibiting water and debris from passing thereby. Therelatively flexible, resilient outer ring portion 142 has an outerperipheral edge 145 of the flexible, resilient outer ring portionextending radially outwardly from an outer peripheral edge 143 of therigid inner ring portion 140. A notable distinction over the deflectorring 28 discussed above is that the rigid inner ring portion 140 isovermolded with desired polymeric material, such as those polymericmaterials discussed above. As a result of being overmolded, the entiretyof the rigid inner ring portion 140 can be concealed and encapsulated bythe resilient outer ring portion 142, thereby avoiding any possiblecontact of the rigid inner ring portion 140 with neighboring components.The deflector ring 128 is shown as being flat, with the material of theresilient outer ring portion 142 having flat opposite sides 70, 72extending between an outer peripheral edge 145 and an inner periphery148. The inner periphery 148 is shown as extending radially inwardly ofan innermost portion 156 of the rigid inner ring portion 140 toward acentral axis 122, by way of example and without limitation. It iscontemplated herein that the inner periphery 148 could be in flushalignment with the innermost portion 156 of the rigid inner ring portion140 or the innermost portion 156 of the rigid inner ring portion 140could extend radially inwardly from the inner periphery 148, if desired.However, as with the deflector ring 28, the outer peripheral edge 145must extend radially outwardly beyond an outer peripheral edge 143 ofthe rigid inner ring portion 140 to avoid having the rigid inner ringportion 140 contacting neighboring components.

In FIG. 3C, a cross-section view similar taken along a similar line 3-3of FIG. 2 of a deflector ring 228 constructed in accordance with anotheraspect of the disclosure is shown, wherein the same reference numerals,offset by a factor of 200, are used to identify like features. Thedeflector ring 228, like the deflector ring 128 discussed above, is overmolded and has a relatively rigid inner ring portion 240 suited formaintaining the deflector ring 228 in fixed relation with the outersurface 32 of the housing body 30 and a relatively flexible, resilientouter ring portion 242 suited for inhibiting water and debris frompassing thereby. The relatively flexible, resilient outer ring portion242 has an outer peripheral edge 245 of the flexible, resilient outerring portion extending radially outwardly from an outer peripheral edge243 of the rigid inner ring portion 240. As with the deflector ring 128discussed above, the entirety of the rigid inner ring portion 240 can beconcealed and encapsulated by the resilient outer ring portion 242,thereby avoiding any possible contact of the rigid inner ring portion240 with neighboring components, while further preventing water anddebris from eroding the metal inner ring portion 240. The deflector ring228 is similar to the deflector ring 128 discussed above, however, aninner periphery 248 of the resilient outer ring portion 242 is shown asbeing generally L-shaped, as viewed along a cross-section takengenerally along a central axis 222, having an annular leg 74 of thematerial forming the inner periphery 248 extending generally parallelwith the central axis 222 laterally outwardly from a radially extendingflat side 270 of the resilient outer ring portion 242. Accordingly, agenerally cylindrical inner surface 76 is formed by the inner periphery248, thereby providing an increased surface area for fixation with theouter surface 32 of the housing body 30. Otherwise, the deflector ring228 is the same as discussed above for the deflector ring 128, and thus,no further discussion is believed necessary.

In FIG. 3D, a cross-section view similar taken along a similar line 3-3of FIG. 2 of a deflector ring 328 constructed in accordance with anotheraspect of the disclosure is shown, wherein the same reference numerals,offset by a factor of 300, are used to identify like features. Thedeflector ring 328, like the deflector rings 128, 228 discussed above,is over molded and has a relatively rigid inner ring portion 340 suitedfor maintaining the deflector ring 328 in fixed relation with the outersurface 32 of the housing body 30 and a relatively flexible, resilientouter ring portion 342 suited for inhibiting water and debris frompassing thereby. The relatively flexible, resilient outer ring portion342 has an outer peripheral edge 345 of the flexible, resilient outerring portion extending radially outwardly from an outer peripheral edge343 of the rigid inner ring portion 340. As with the deflector rings128, 228 discussed above, the entirety of the rigid inner ring portion340 can be concealed and encapsulated by the resilient outer ringportion 342, thereby avoiding any possible contact of the rigid innerring portion 340 with neighboring components. The deflector ring 328 isshaped similarly to the deflector ring 228 discussed above, having agenerally L-shaped inner periphery 348, as viewed along a cross-sectiontaken generally along a central axis 322, of the resilient outer ringportion 342 formed by an annular leg 374 of the material forming theinner periphery 348. However, unlike the rigid inner ring portion 240shown in FIG. 3C being generally flat, the rigid inner ring portion 340has a generally L-shaped inner periphery, as viewed along thecross-section taken generally along the central axis 322, having anannular leg 78 of the metal material forming the inner ring portion 340extending generally parallel with the central axis 322 encapsulatedwithin the L-shaped inner periphery 348 of the resilient outer ringportion 342. Accordingly, an increased rigidity of the inner ringportion 340 is provided for fixation with the outer surface 32 of thehousing body 30 by having the rigid metal material of the rigid innerring portion 340 being configured to provide added support relative tothe housing body 30. Otherwise, the deflector ring 328 is the same asdiscussed above for the deflector ring 228, and thus, no furtherdiscussion is believed necessary.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method ofmanufacturing a CV joint housing 20 is provided. The method includesproviding a housing body 30 having an outer surface 32 and an innersurface 34 extending between a first housing end 36 and a second housingend 38 along a central axis 22. Further, fixing a flexible boot 26 tothe housing body 30. Further yet, fixing a deflector ring 28, 128, 228,328 having a rigid inner ring portion 40, 140, 240, 340 and a flexible,resilient outer ring portion 42, 142, 242, 342 to the outer surface 32of the housing body 30, wherein the rigid inner ring portion 40, 142,242, 342 and the flexible, resilient outer ring portion 42, 142, 242,342 are formed of dissimilar materials.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method canfurther include pressing the rigid inner ring portion 40 onto the outersurface 32 of the housing body 30.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method canfurther include providing the rigid inner ring portion 40 having a firstlip 52 spaced axially from a second lip 54 by a cylindrical portion 56with the flexible, resilient outer ring portion 42 being disposed aboutthe cylindrical portion 56 in captured relation between the first lip 52and the second lip 54.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method canfurther include providing the rigid inner ring portion 140, 240, 340being overmolded by material of the flexible, resilient outer ringportion 142, 242, 342.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method canfurther include providing the rigid inner ring portion 140, 240, 340being entirely encapsulated by material of the flexible, resilient outerring portion 142, 242, 342.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method ofmanufacturing a deflector ring 28, 128, 228, 328 for a CV joint assembly10 is provided. The method includes: fixing a flexible, resilient outerring portion 42, 142, 242, 342 to a rigid inner ring portion 40, 140,240, 340 with an outer peripheral edge 45, 145, 245, 345 of theflexible, resilient outer ring portion 42, 142, 242, 342 extendingradially outwardly from an outer peripheral edge 43, 143, 243, 343 ofthe rigid inner ring portion 40, 140, 240, 340.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method furtherincludes providing the flexible, resilient outer ring portion 42 as anon-metal material and providing the rigid inner ring portion 40 as ametal-based material.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method furtherincludes providing the flexible, resilient outer ring portion 42 as apolymeric material and providing the rigid inner ring portion 40 as ametal material.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method canfurther include, providing the rigid inner ring portion 40 having afirst lip 52 spaced axially from a second lip 54 by a cylindricalportion 56 and capturing the flexible, resilient outer ring portion 42between the first lip 52 and the second lip 54.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method canfurther include, capturing the flexible, resilient outer ring portion 42between the first lip 52 and the second lip 54 by folding one of thefirst lip 52 or the second lip 54 toward the other of the first lip 52or the second lip 54 along a folding direction of arrow A (FIG. 3A). Itis to be recognized that the folding can be performed by way of anydesired mechanism, such as rolling, pressing, or the otherwise.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method canfurther include, stretching an inner periphery 48 of the flexible,resilient outer ring portion 42 to an expanded dimension to fit over oneof the first lip 52 or the second lip 54 and allowing the innerperiphery 48 to relax to a reduced dimension for captured receiptbetween the first lip 52 and the second lip 54, wherein the innerperiphery 48 can be captured against removal from the recessed channel50 and brought into an interference fit with the cylindrical portion 56of the rigid inner ring portion 40, if desired.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method canfurther include providing the second lip 54 having a reduced diameterrelative to the first lip 52 to facilitate stretching the innerperiphery 48 of the flexible, resilient outer ring portion 42 to anexpanded dimension to fit over the second lip 54.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method canfurther include fixing the flexible, resilient outer ring portion 142,242, 342 to the rigid inner ring portion 140, 240, 340 by overmoldingthe rigid inner ring portion 140, 240, 340 with polymeric material toform the flexible, resilient outer ring portion 142, 242, 342.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method canfurther include encapsulating the rigid inner ring portion 140, 240, 340entirely with material of the flexible, resilient outer ring portion142, 242, 342 during the overmolding process.

Throughout this specification, the term “attach,” “attachment,”“connected”, “coupled,” “coupling,” “mount,” or “mounting” shall beinterpreted to mean that a structural component or element is in somemanner connected to or contacts another element, either directly orindirectly through at least one intervening structural element, or isintegrally formed with the other structural element.

While the invention has been described in detail in connection with onlya limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood thatthe invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, theinvention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations,alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretoforedescribed, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of theinvention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention havebeen described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention mayinclude only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, theinvention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description.

Having thus described the invention, it is claimed:
 1. A constantvelocity joint assembly, comprising: a housing body having an outersurface and an inner surface extending between a first housing end and asecond housing end along a central axis, the inner surface of thehousing body defining a raceway; a plurality of rollers disposed in theraceway; a flexible boot operably fixed to the housing body, theflexible boot extending along the central axis; and a deflector ringfixed to the outer surface of the housing body, the deflector ringhaving a rigid inner ring portion and a flexible, resilient outer ringportion, said rigid inner ring portion and said flexible, resilientouter ring portion being formed of dissimilar materials.
 2. The constantvelocity joint assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible, resilientouter ring portion is a non-metal material and the rigid inner ringportion is a metal-based material.
 3. The constant velocity jointassembly of claim 2, wherein the flexible, resilient outer ring portionis a polymeric material and the rigid inner ring portion is a metalmaterial.
 4. The constant velocity joint assembly of claim 1, whereinthe rigid inner ring portion has a maximum outermost first dimensionrelative to the central axis and the flexible, resilient outer ringportion has a maximum outermost second dimension relative to the centralaxis, the second dimension being greater than the first dimension. 5.The constant velocity joint assembly of claim 1, wherein the rigid innerring portion is overmolded with material of the flexible, resilientouter ring portion.
 6. The constant velocity joint assembly of claim 5,wherein the rigid inner ring portion is entirely encapsulated bymaterial of the flexible, resilient outer ring portion.
 7. The constantvelocity joint assembly of claim 5, wherein the flexible, resilientouter ring portion has a generally L-shaped leg forming an annular innerperiphery of the flexible, resilient outer ring portion.
 8. The constantvelocity joint assembly of claim 7, wherein the rigid inner ring portionhas a generally L-shaped leg forming an annular inner periphery of therigid inner ring portion.
 9. The constant velocity joint assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the flexible, resilient outer ring portion has an innerperiphery and the rigid inner ring portion has a recessed channel, atleast a portion of the inner periphery being disposed in the recessedchannel.
 10. The constant velocity joint assembly of claim 9, whereinthe recessed channel is circumferentially continuous and the entireinner periphery of the non-metal outer ring portion is disposed in therecessed channel.
 11. The constant velocity joint assembly of claim 9,wherein the recessed channel is bounded by a first lip spaced axiallyfrom a second lip along the central axis, the first lip having anoutermost first dimension and the second lip having an outermost seconddimension, the first dimension being greater than the second dimension.12. The constant velocity joint assembly of claim 9, wherein the outersurface of the housing body has a generally cylindrical portion with ashoulder extending radially outwardly from the generally cylindricalportion, and wherein the recessed channel is bounded by a first lipspaced axially from a second lip along the central axis by a cylindricalportion, the first lip abutting the shoulder.
 13. The constant velocityjoint assembly of claim 9, wherein the recessed channel is bounded by afirst lip spaced axially from a second lip along the central axis by acylindrical portion, the first lip, the cylindrical portion, and thesecond lip having a constant thickness.
 14. The constant velocity jointassembly of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the housing body has amaximum housing outermost dimension, wherein the rigid inner ringportion has a maximum inner ring outermost dimension, wherein theflexible, resilient outer ring portion has a maximum outer ringoutermost dimension, the maximum inner ring outermost dimension beingless than the maximum housing outermost dimension, and the maximum outerring outermost dimension being greater than the maximum housingoutermost dimension.
 15. A constant velocity joint housing, comprising:a housing body having an outer surface and an inner surface extendingbetween a first housing end and a second housing end along a centralaxis, the inner surface of the housing body defining a raceway; aflexible boot operably fixed to the housing body, the flexible bootextending along the central axis; and a deflector ring fixed to theouter surface of the housing body, the deflector ring having a rigidinner ring portion and a flexible, resilient outer ring portion, saidrigid inner ring portion and said flexible, resilient outer ring portionbeing formed of dissimilar materials.
 16. The constant velocity jointhousing of claim 15, wherein the flexible, resilient outer ring portionis a non-metal material and the rigid inner ring portion is ametal-based material.
 17. The constant velocity joint housing of claim16, wherein the flexible, resilient outer ring portion is a polymericmaterial and the rigid inner ring portion is a metal material.
 18. Adeflector ring for a constant velocity joint, comprising: a rigid innerring portion, and a flexible, resilient outer ring portion fixed to therigid inner ring portion, said flexible, resilient outer ring portionextending radially outwardly from the rigid inner portion, wherein therigid inner ring portion and the flexible, resilient outer ring portionare dissimilar materials.
 19. The deflector ring of claim 18, whereinthe flexible, resilient outer ring portion is a non-metal material andthe rigid inner ring portion is a metal-based material.
 20. Thedeflector ring of claim 18, wherein the rigid inner ring portion isovermolded with material of the flexible, resilient outer ring portion.